Disc type refiner unit having plug wiper



Nov. 23, 1965 A. J. HORSTMAN 3,219,282

DISC TYPE REFINER UNIT HAVING PLUG WIPER Filed June 19. 1963 INVENTOR. fl/Y7'0/V I. 1708577719 BY fim United States Patent 3 219 282 DISC TYPE REFINER iJNI T HAVING PLUG WIPER Anton J. Horstman, Houghton, Mich, assignor to The Bauer Bros. Co., Springfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed June 19, 1963, Ser. No. 288,956 7 Claims. cl. 241 3s This invention relates to pulp refining equipment and more particularly to a plug wiper and an installation thereof which facilitates a more efiicient and economical operation of disc type refiners.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a disc type pulp refiner which is economical to fabricate, more efiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved plug wiper for disc type refiners.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved plug wiper for disc type refiners which inhibits undesirable valving action and accumulation of stock at the refiner entrance.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved installation of a plug wiper in a disc refining system which facilitates material flow.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plug wiper possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of a disc refiner revealing the essential features of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The refiner structure, which is illustrated in fragmentary form, is detailed only to the extent necessary for a full disclosure of the present invention. As seen in the drawings, it includes a housing 10 having an inlet opening 11 defined by a tubular projection 12. Fixed to the outer extremity of the projection 12 is the delivery end of a feed spout 13. The spout 13 forms a fiow passage 14, the discharge end of which is defined by a tubular spout extension 15. The extension nests in contacting relation to the inner wall of the projection 12 to communicate the passage 14 with the interior of the housing 10.

Fixed within the projection 12 in end abutting relation to the tubular extension 15 is a ring 16. The inner peripheral wall of the ring 16 is formed to be inwardly convergent with respect to the housing 10 and thereby defines a shoulder 17 which rims the discharge end of the passage 14.

The flow passage 14 is so inclined to provide a gravity flow of stock to the inlet opening 11 in the housing 10. A refiner disc 18 is positioned in the housing 10 in adjacent relation to this opening. The disc 18 is fixed to one end of a shaft 19 the other end of which projects outwardly of the housing 10 through the opening 11 and through an opening in the adjacent inclined wall structure which defines the lowermost portion of the flow passage through the spout 13. Beyond the spout 13, the shaft 19 connects to suitable drive means, not shown. These drive means may be conventionally energized, when required to produce a rotation of the shaft 19 and the disc 18.

The central or hub portion of the disc 18 includes flow passages 20 which relatively diverge about the shaft v19 in a sense inwardly of the housing 10. The relatively adjacent entrance ends of the passages 20 are rimmed by a ring 21 fixed to the disc 18 through the medium of a peripherally projected flange 22. The outer con-tour of the ring 21 is such to conically expand from the flange 22 in the direction of the discharge end of the flow passage 14 of the spout 13. This conically expanded portion of the ring 21 nests within and is peripherally confined by the inwardly convergent surface of the ring 16. The projected extremity of the ring 21 terminates in immediately adjacent spaced relation to the shoulder 17.

The inner wall of the ring 21 includes a cylindrically formed portion 23 immediately adjacent the flow passage 14 and a conically formed portion 24 which expands from the portion 23 to rim the entrance ends of the flow passages 20 in the disc 18. As will be evident from FIG. 1 of the drawings, on rotation of the disc 18, the ring 16 and the relatively rotating ring 21 form a bridging flow assage between the discharge end of the flow passage 14 and the entrance ends of the flow passages 20.

Viewing FIG. 1 of the drawings, the lowermost wall portion of spout 13 which defines the discharge end of flow passage 14 has a scooped out channel shaped recess 26. The base of this recess 26 is smoothly inclined to the housing 10 so a longitudinal extension thereof inwardly of the housing would generally intersect the line on the inner wall of the adjacent ring 21 which constitutes the line of demarcation between its wall sections 23 and 24. Note that the entrance to ring 21, which is located within the inlet 11, is in direct alignment with but vertically offset relative to the adjacent discharge end of the flow passage 14. This vertical offset is in a downward sense so the lowermost portion of the inner wall section 23 of ring 21 is spaced immediately below the terminal portion of the recess 26 at the bottom of the flow passage 14.

The discharge end of the spout 13 is fixed to the projection 12 by means peripherally of the flow passage 14 which includes a vertically dependent wall portion 27. Formed integral with the inner surface of the wall portion 27 is part of the tubular extension 15, the inner peripheral portion of which defines the lowermost portion of the shoulder 17 bounded by the ring 16. Formed in the spout portion 27 at the juncture thereof with the lowermost portion of the recess 26 in the flow passage 14 is an aperture 28. The aperture 28 is so positioned to be immediately rimmed by the lowermost portion of the inner wall section 23 of the relatively adjacent ring 21.

The aperture 28 accommodates a tubular plug wiper 29 which projects therethrough to extend interiorly of the ring 21. To its outermost end, the wiper 29 is fixed to the dependent portion 27 of the spout 13 through the medium of an external flange 30. Immediately as the innermost end portion 31 of the plug wiper 29 exits from the spout portion 27 to project inwardly of the ring 21, it is relatively inclined. This inclination begins in a vertical plane common to that of the discharge end of the flow passage 14. The bend produced in the uppermost surface of wiper 29 thereby lies in a plane generally common to that occupied by the central portion of the base of the recess 26 which is relatively flat in a transverse sense. The wiper portion 31 is so oriented to project within the ring 21 in immediately adjacent relation to its wall section 24 and inclined similarly thereto.

On rotation of the disc 18, the flow passages 20 will successively align with the Wiper 29. The plug wiper includes a central passage 32 the discharge end of which is inclined similarly to the ring wall section 24. Means suitably connected to the outermost end of the plug wiper 29 provide for delivery of a jet of fluid through the passage 32 which on alignment of a flow passage 20 with the plug wiper 29 will move in a sense axially of the passage 20 and adjacent its outermost wall area for purposes to be further described.

It is to be noted that the uppermost surface portion of the plug wiper 29 which is relatively inclined to follow the inclination of the wall section 24 of ring 21 tends to angle up .and project into the path of flow from the recess 26, its inclination proceeding from the very terminal portion of the recess base. A further feature to be noted in reference to the plug wiper 29 is that its terminal extremity 33 lies adjacent but in relatively spaced relation to the adjacent face of the disc 18 which includes the flow passages 20.

The plug wiper 29 has a modified rectangular configuration when viewed in a transverse sense. It includes relatively vertical sides 34 which are parallel and perpendicular to its base 35 which lies in immediately adjacent relation to the inner wall of ring 21. However, the uppermost wiper surface 36 which is smoothly inclined from the terminal base portion of the recess 26 has a convex contour in a transverse sense, the lateral extremities 37 there-of being formed to relatively diverge in a downward sense. The purpose of this shall become self-evident.

Noting FIG. 1 of the drawings, it may be seen that on drive of the shaft 19 the disc 18 will rotate therewith. The ring 21, which is naturally fixed to rotate with the disc 18, together with the fixed ring 16 forms a bridging flow passage between the discharge end of the flow passage 14 in the spout 13 and the flow passages 20 in the rotating disc. In the course of disc rotation each of the flow pas-sages 20 will successively reach the lowermost portion of their travel at which point they will generally axially align with the plug wiper 29. On introduction of a pulp stock to the spout 13, it will flow under the influence of gravity through the flow passage 14. At the bottom of the flow passage 14, the stock will tend to move into the channel-shaped recess 26 the form of which induces a stock discharge to the general area of the wall surface 24 of the ring 21. As the stock flows from the recess 26, it will discharge about the relatively projected extremity 31 of the plug wiper which is inclined in its path. Due to the fact the inclination of the inwardly projected portion of the plug wiper commences on a line which constitutes the terminal line of the base of recess 26 and its upper or projected surface is convex in a transverse sense, the plug wiper oifers no impediment to a smooth continuous flow of stock to the ring 21. The stock disperses about the plug wiper, naturally flowing down the sides of its convex upper surface and generally to the ring surface 24 so as to inhibit any deposit or accumulation of pulp thereon, a condition which would be inherent in the use of plug wipers of conventional design. Due to the mating inclination .and relative orientation of the base of recess 26 and the ring surface 24 there is an essentially smooth transfer of stock material therebetween.

As the stock transfer takes place and the disc 18 con: tinues to rotate, the position and the form of the portion 31 of the plug wiper 29 results in a most effective wiping influence of the plug wiper in reference to the ring 21. The function and orientation of the plug wiper is such to cause an agitation of the pulp therea-bout in the relatively rotating ring 21, suflicient to influence such pulp to move freely, in a proper and axial flow line, through the passages 20 as they respectively align with the plug wiper. A fluid discharge through the wiper passage 32 produces fluid jets which function to enhance the flow of stock from the ring 21 and accelerate a movement thereof in a sense axially of and through each flow passage 20 as it respectively aligns with the wiper 29.

Thus, the nature and configuration of the plug wiper is such to not only avoid undesirable accumulation of stock at the inlet to the housing 10 or on the wiper surfaces but also to facilitate the stock flow and a proper orientation there-of on discharge from the spout 13. The net eifect on the gravity flow of stock as produced by the recess 26 and its particular angular relation to the particularly formed inner surface of ring 21 and that of flow passages 20 is a substantially smooth delivery of stock for refining between relatively opposed discs in a manner to facilitate refining procedures. Moreover, not only does the use of the inventive structure offer improved efficiency in refining procedures but it also results in minimal maintenance requirements for the apparatus in question.

A further feature of the invention is evidenced in the arrangement of the discharge end of the wiper 29 being terminate-d in adjacent but spaced relation to the disc 18. By the nature of this spacing the invention precludes an irregular valving action by the rotating disc in reference to the jet discharge from the plug wiper. Such valving action would not only interfere with a proper use of the jets to properly stimulate the stock intermediate the successive alignment of the passages 20 with the plug wiper but also would create turbulence which would inhibit a condition of relatively smooth flow of stock through the passages 20.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into eifect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a disc type refiner unit, a housing, an inlet thereto, means for channeling stock to enter said housing through said inlet, said channeling means having the lowermost portion thereof at its discharge end formed to provide it with a recessed flow channel, disc means rotatably mounted in said housing adjacent said inlet, flow passages in said disc means the entrance ends of which are positioned relatively adjacent said inlet, said flow passages being arranged to relatively diverge from said inlet, a channeling member fixed to said disc means to gene-rally form a bridge between the discharge end of said flow channel and said flow passages in said disc means and a plug wiper projected interiorly of said inlet at the discharge extremity of said recessed flow channel and in the direct line of flow therefrom to said channeling member.

2. A pulp refiner unit comprising, a housing, an inlet thereto, means in connection with said housing defining a feed passage having a surface inclined to said inlet for gravity flow of stock therethrough, ring means, one of which is rotatable relative the other forming a continuation of said feed passage through said inlet, a refiner disc rotatably mounted in said housing adjacent said inlet, said disc mounting at one face thereof at least a portion of said ring means for rotation therewith and relative said means defining said feed pass-age, said disc having divergent stock delivery passages therethrough the entrance ends to which are immediately rimmed by said ring means, a plug wiper, said plug wiper being mounted at the discharge extremity of said surface in said feed passage and projecting interiorly of said ring means to have its discharge extremity positioned in adjacent but spaced relation to said disc and means in connection with said plug wiper for a delivery therethrough of fluid jets which cyclically orient in a sense axially of each of said stock delivery passages during rotation of said disc, said plug wiper being a tubular body in intersecting relation to the plane of said surface in said feed passage, the discharge extremity of said wiper following the angle of the innermost wall surface of said ring means at the lowermost portion thereof and having an uppermost portion of which is convex in a transverse sense.

3. A pulp refiner unit comprising, a housing, an inlet thereto, a feed spout in connection with said housing the discharge extremity of which opens to said inlet, said spout including a vertically inclined flow passage for delivery of stock therethrough to said inlet, the lowermost portion of the wall defining said flow passage including a channel shaped recess for directing the flow of stock from said feed spout, a disc rotatably mounted in said housing, a channeling member fixed to said disc, feed passages through said disc the entrance ends to which are rimmed by said channeling member, an inner wall surface of said channeling member being relatively divergent in the direction of said feed passages and so positioned relative said feed spout to intersect a plane coincident with the surface of said channel shaped recess, whereby to directly receive stock as it exits from the channel shaped recess, a plug wiper installed to intersect said plane and discharge fluid jets upon said feed passages.

4. A pulp refiner unit according to claim 3, characterized in that said plug wiper includes a tubular body the discharge end of which is inclined relative its entrance end, said body having a generally rectangular wiping base and an uppermost surface which, referenced to said base, is generally convex in a transverse sense.

5. In a disc type refiner unit, a housing, an inlet thereto, means for channeling stock to enter said housing through said inlet, said channeling means having an inclined surface terminating at said inlet, disc means rotatably mounted in said housing adjacent to said inlet, fiow passages in said disc means the entrance ends of which are positioned relatively adjacent to said inlet, said flow passages being arranged to relatively diverge from said inlet, a channeling member fixed to said disc means to generally form a bridge between the discharge end of said channeling means and said flow passages in said disc means, said member having a conical section aligned with said flow passages, the base of said conical section terminating in a vertical plane intersected by a plane representing a continuation of said inclined surface of said channeling means, and a plug wiper projected inwardly through said channeling means, said wiper intersecting both said vertical plane and the continuation of the plane of said inclined surface and in the approximate location of the latter being bent to overlie and substantially to parallel said conical surface.

6. A disc refiner unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the bent portion of said wiper is transversely curved on its top side to olfer minimum resistance to flow of material through said channeling member to said flow.

7. In a disc type refiner unit, a housing, an inlet thereto, disc means rotatably mounted in said housing, shaft means extending through said inlet into said housing to engage said disc means, fiow passages in said disc means in a surrounding relation to said shaft means, the entrance ends of which passages are positioned adjacent to said inlet, means for channeling stock to enter said housing, said means including a spout attached to said housing in enclosing relation to said inlet, said spout having an open upper end above the axis of said shaft and having an inclined surface extending below the axis of said shaft to said inlet, a channeling member fixed to said disc means to generally form a bridge between said spout and said flow passages in said disc means in surrounding relation to said shaft, and a plug wiper projecting inwardly through said channeling means and said channeling member toward said flow passages, said wiperbeing located below the axis of said shaft and extending through and beyond the plane of said inclined surface to be in the path of movement of stock moving over said surface to said inlet, an upwardly facing surface of said wiper being convexly formed in a transverse sense for a minimum resistance to stock flow thereover.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,146,034 7/1915 Sorensen 24l251 1,795,603 3/193 1 Hussey 241-251 X 2,214,707 9/1940 Markley 24l-24'8 X 3,040,996 6/1962 Ginaven 241251 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Examiner. 

1. IN A DISC TYPE REFINER UNIT, A HOUSING, AN INLET THERETO, MEANS FOR CHANNELING STOCK TO ENTER SAID HOUSING THROUGH SAID INLET, SAID CHANNELING MEANS HAVING THE LOWERMOST PORTION THEREOF AT ITS DISCHARGE END FORMED TO PROVIDE IT WITH A RECESSED FLOW CHANNEL, DISC MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID INLET, FLOW PASSAGES IN SAID DISC MEANS THE ENTRANCE ENDS OF WHICH ARE POSITIONED RELATIVELY ADJACENT SAID INLET, SAID FLOW PASSAGES BEING ARRANGED TO RELATIVELY DIVERGE FROM SAID INLET, A CHANNELING MEMBER FIXED TO SAID DISC MEANS TO GENERALLY FORM A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID FLOW CHANNEL AND SAID FLOW PASSAGES IN SAID DISC MEANS AND A PLUG WIPER PROJECTED INTERIORLY OF SAID INLET AT THE DISCHARGE EXTREMITY OF SAID RECESSED FLOW CHANNEL AND IN THE DIRECT LINE OF FLOW THEREFROM TO SAID CHANNELING MEMBER. 